A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

He wasn't sure what to think about the pat on the head. It made him feel a little bit too much like a dog. He was quite sure that Nila would have laughed at him if she'd seen that. But it must have meant more than Oliver realized, for Amelia was fidgeting excitedly, and Pauline had looked away with a blush as Blackthorn went to rejoin them. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire

Once again, Oliver couldn't help but think that nobles were a strange lot.

"A coat, my liege," Verdant said, removing his own blue rope and handing it to him. Underneath he had a warm wool jumper, so it seemed doubtful that the man would get too cold.

Oliver took it without the hesitation that he would have normally felt. "Thanks, Verdant." He was eager to get off this rock, and get back to his room at the Academy before it started. He could feel it coming, what Ingolsol and Claudia had warned him of. And whatever it was, it would not be pleasant.

In his rush, he did not think to ask what Gavlin and Verdant had spoken about. He didn't acknowledge the tense look that Gavlin wore, as he all but glared holes through Oliver. Nor did he see the thoughtful look on Verdant's face, as he tapped a finger against his chin in thought.

"Let's go back," he told them.

"What of the corpse?" Karesh asked in surprise. "Surely it's worth a lot, isn't it?"

"We don't have the means to deal with it," Oliver said dismissively. "Besides, the alchemist that I'm working with doesn't have a way of turning it into anything useful yet. You'll be better served keeping your hands free."

"It shouldn't be a problem for us to get one or two more sacksful," Jorah said. "We aren't nearly that tired, Ser. It might prove useful for you in the future. It seems a shame to let such a kill go to waste."

"No," Oliver said firmly. "Leave it. We get back, before we grow even more exhausted. This is a dangerous part of the Forest to be in."

Gavlin nodded gravely at that. "If you are bold enough to leave it, then be commended. I too would urge speed. Those clouds are thick – full dark will come early today, before true sunset."

With the word from the Minister, their course of action became affirmed. They prepared to move once more. Oliver took his position at the head of the pack, though he didn't move quite so quickly ahead as before.

Snow began to fall slowly, settling a quiet over the vast empty forest, leaving Oliver alone with his raging thoughts.

…

…

They couldn't get back to the Academy quickly enough for Oliver's tastes. A quarter of the way along their route back to the gates, both Amelia and Pauline were thoroughly exhausted. The rest weren't looking so good either. Blackthorn was notably quiet – even more so than usual – and the three boys had lost the spring out of their step.

None of them seemed particularly excited to pick up any goblin loot on the way back.

In the end, Verdant was forced to carry Amelia on his back, whilst Oliver carried Pauline on his, by way of silent apology to the both of them. There had been heavy complaints from the rest of the group, that the others who had not fought should be the ones to do it – besides, Oliver's back was wounded, was it not? He overrode them in that too, and quietly did his duty.

Besides, he was sure, none of them could have come close to the energy that he felt, despite his concluded battle with the Boulder Crab. It rushed through him, looking for an outlet. He was the strongest he'd ever been, and so suddenly too. If not for the threat of the looming comedown, it might have been one of the better days of Oliver's life.

He hardly felt Pauline's weight as he hefted her on his back. The rest of the group were a having quiet but serious discussions about how the expeditions could be improved in future, so that it wasn't such a burden on the two girls.

Jorah had strongly tried to advise against them coming, but despite the states that the girls had ended up in, no one managed to get a firm answer from them declaring that they wouldn't come the following week.

The gatekeeper stared at their ragged group with questioning eyes as he let them through. He noted Galvin once more, and shot a crisp salute. Galvin put him at ease with a nod or at least tried to. With the state of Gavlin's brooding face, the only thing he'd be likely to put at ease was a cold unfeeling rock.

The carriage on the way back yielded more than one person drifting off to sleep. The snowy world outside was simply too peaceful for them, and the accumulated fatigue sent them drifting off. The carriage driver had provided them with thick blankets they drew over themselves. It was hard to get more comfortable.

Besides, in the eyes of the majority of the group, the day could not have gotten more perfect, could it? Another legend had been born, another feat added to Oliver Patrick's rumoured arsenal, and they were there to witness it this time. Not only that, but for the three new Patrick retainers, they'd had their first taste of true combat, and they'd performed well enough in it.

The moment they hit the carriage, the three of them visibly relaxed. Karesh and Kaya attempted to battle sleep, but to no avail. Only Jorah managed to keep some semblance of his usual dutiful self, however unnecessary that might have been.

In the dark of the evening, their carriage was readmitted in through the gates of the outer wall, and across the drawbridge. The horse's clopping hooves resounded on the freshly shovelled cobblestones, as it drew them up to the main gate.

Again, more questioning faces, as guardsmen came with torches to inspect what had arrived. More crisp salutes for the Minister of Blades, as they hastily opened the gate for them. Some of them recognized the Lady Blackthorn, but none of those soldiers recognized the bruised face of Oliver Patrick as they quietly allowed them inside.